Living in Cuenca, you would hardly know that something was going on except yesterday stores were closed, children didn't go to school, and the familiar police presence around our neighborhood was absent. Other than minor incoveniences like trying to go grocery shopping and having SuperMaxi shut down, it was life as usual. It seemed more like a holiday or a Sunday afternoon, rather than "political unrest."
Yes, I'm sure if you live in downtown Quito or Quayquil, you may have a different take on the subject. In Cuenca,there were no mass riots, people being killed or looting. Cuencanos have learned to take these things in stride and have a "so what" kind of attitude.
As a precaution, Americans living in Ecuador have been urged to stay at home and report their status to the US Consulate in case the political situation escalates. Airports in Quayaquil and Quito (and other major cities were closed yesterday), along with some major roads. Colombia and Peru closed their borders. And President Correa was held up in the hospital for 12 hours after having a bout with tear gas; he slipped away via wheelchair!
So what does this all mean? For now, it means that President Correa and the police have some homework to do! Having lived in Sicily for six years, we are familiar with this sort of thing and normally it runs its course and things go back to normal. But then again, we had the Mafia to take over where the police left off.
Until next time...hasta luego!
Consuelo, Marco y Mocha
